44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF EVERETT ZURAW / COURTESY OF HARVEST INN in the Bahamas, Patrick recognized the rarity of “Bluebird-style” performances. That led to launching Songwriters in Paradise, an annual festival series that expanded out from the Bahamas to include Napa, Sonoma and Cabo San Lucas. “People already love these places,” he notes. “We’re just giving them an excuse to go there.” With only 150 passes, SIP is the antithesis of a sold-out stadium show. “My idea with SIP is to make it super exclusive, super intimate,” Patrick says. “It’s a higher ticket price, but that’s what lends itself to the beauty of the entire experience. You are really a part of it.” Self-servingly, Patrick admits, SIP also offers the chance to make music and have fun with his friends. “I’ve been in Nashville for 20+ years, and it’s just my little black book of all my buddies,” he grins. “We feel so grateful to be together, and that camaraderie ties into what you feel when you’re with us.” Which begs the question, do you have to be a diehard country music fan to fully appreciate SIP? “It’s not just country,” Patrick stresses. “Sure, Tim Nichols is gonna play you huge country hits, but this is Americana, so the overall thing is just really good music.” And wine, of course. In Napa Valley, rotating hosts include Silver Oak, Alpha Omega, Brasswood Cellars and Charles Krug. With the Harvest Inn serving as official home base, shuttles pull up to transport guests to each evening’s venue, where hearty appetizers and libations await. On this particular night at Frank Family Vineyards, attendees and songwriters intermingle around high-top tables, relishing woodfired pizzas, tasty sliders and a selection of wines by the glass. Then the party moves into Frank Family’s majestic Barrel Room for two rounds of performances. Once the music starts, utter respect is paid to the songwriters on stage. “The music is really what drives it,” emphasizes Patrick, who kicks off the evening with Jedd Hughes and Chris ABOVE: SIP performers Charles Esten, Lauren Jenkins and Gabe Dixon sharing the stage at Alpha Omega; St. Helena’s Harvest Inn is an eight-acre resort surrounded by towering redwood trees and vineyard views. {due west}
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